DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte

It’s finally Fall- and you know what that means… Pumpkin Spice Lattes all around! Basic or not, you can’t deny the primal call for something cozy as the days get cooler and shorter… the wild call for the ever seasonal and highly popular Pumpkin Spice Latte! The only problem with this? They’re typically LOADED with sugars, artificial sweeteners, flavors, preservatives, chemicals, flavorings, and dairy-laden creamers and milk. Blah! Don’t worry- we’re going to show you how to “DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte” the delicious, vegan, gluten-free, and healthy way! Skip all the way down to the bottom of the article to find the recipe, or read a little bit on why we should all be making our own Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

Popular Pumpkin Spice Latte

While a little treat is essential every now and then, the PSL shouldn’t be an everyday habit, especially not if you purchase it from popular chain coffee shops! Let’s take a look at a Grande (Medium) Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks made with 2% Milk and topped with whipped cream…

•COST: $4.95
Let’s say you have one medium-sized pumpkin spice latte a day for the fall season- which is about 80 days. That comes out to $396 spent on coffee drinks… that’s a big chunk of change to be devoting to a high-calorie yet nutrient deficient beverage!

•HEALTH RISKS: Dairy products contribute high amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat to diets. Diets high in fat, especially saturated fats, have an increased risk of heart disease among other serious illnesses.

It is recommended by the AHA (American Heart Association) that females get no more than 6 tsp of added sugar per day and men no more than 9… the Grande PSL has about 12.5 teaspoons of sugar in it- more than anyone needs in one day! To put this in perspective, a slice of pumpkin pie usually contains about half the amount of sugar as a Grande PSL. A diet too high in sugar can lead to blood sugar problems, weight gain, addiction to more sugar, and tons of other diseases and health concerns. This is a good reminder that although a drink might seem like the healthier option, sometimes just eating your dessert is better for you!

While the use of carrageenan is still being studied, this seaweed-derived thickening agent has been linked to inflammation and gastrointestinal issues. You may also notice that mono- and diglycerides are used in the Starbucks PSL. These are fats that are considered “incomplete” and are used to help bind ingredients together and prolong shelf life. They are created from animals (cow or pig), plants (soybean or canola oil), or synthetically produced in a lab.

MRM Pumpkin Spice Latte

Ok! So- buying a calorie and sugar-laden drink every day isn’t a good idea… but how do we combat the desire for something so delicious?! We make our own healthy version, of course! It’s really easy, and a lot more cost effective!

Some things to take into consideration: You can use store bought pumpkin puree and almond milk, or you can make your own. Both are super simple to make! For this recipe, we’ll be using homemade almond milk and store bought pumpkin pureé. By using homemade almond milk, we eliminate the use of additives and thickening agents like carrageenan which can cause digestive issues, especially if you have a sensitive system. If store-bought almond milk doesn’t bother you, go right on ahead and use it!

| HOW TO MAKE ALMOND MILK AT HOME:
*This recipe makes about 4 cups of Almond Milk*
1. Soak 1 Cup raw, unsalted almond in water for 4-6 hours.
2. Drain soaked almonds.
3. Blend almonds with 4 Cups filtered water until the almonds have been broken down and the liquid looks creamy.
4. Strain almond milk into a large pitcher using a cheesecloth and continuously squeezing the pulp until dry. ( You can save the pulp to make other recipes!)
5. Enjoy your fresh almond milk for up to 4 days!
-See! Only two ingredients and you have delicious, fresh and healthy almond milk. (Here are the macros per cup: Calories: 112, Fat: 9g, Carbs: 4g, Fiber: 1g, Protein: 4g)

•Directions:1. Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend on high speed until completely combined.
2. Pour into two cups.
3. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and enjoy you healthy and superfood boosted PSL!

•Cost Per Cup: $2.90*Keep in mind this is the cost using all organic ingredients- if that isn’t important to you for these ingredients you can save even more money!*

You save $2.05 every cup if you make it at home! That’s a savings of $164 if you made this latte every day, at home, for the 80-day fall season. Imagine all the other ways you could treat yourself with that money… You could throw it in your savings towards a house, a new car, a new phone- you could even join a gym and still have $$$ left over! The amount of money you save making your PSL this way is nothing compared to the way you’re saving your body from digestive stressors, agitators, and chemicals that can cause serious illnesses.

•Health BenefitsThere is so much good in the DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte! Pumpkin is full of fiber, potassium, and vitamin C- all essential for heart health. Homemade almond milk is low in calories and offers natural, plant-based calcium and protein along with the benefit of not drinking dairy which is commonly filled with blood, puss, preservatives, sugars, and hormones. Using a natural sweetener, like organic maple syrup, helps your body recognize sugar very close to its natural form making it lots easier to digest. Plus, organic maple syrup also boasts antioxidants and minerals like zinc, magnesium, and calcium! Organic coffee offers loads of antioxidants and is a great cardiovascular energy booster as long as it’s not over-used (no more than 2-3 small cups off coffee per day is recommended). Maca is an adaptogenic superfood, meaning it helps your body adapt to both physical and mental stress! It’s also known to help improve strength and boost vitality. The spice blend is made of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger- all great for the immune system! The spices are considered “warm” in Ayurvedic medicine, meaning they heat up the digestive system which improves digestion. Add that to the antioxidants they bring to the table, and you have yourself a pretty great looking way to start your day!